About

Attorney in private practice, licensed with the State Bar of Michigan and the Federal Court of the Eastern District of Michigan since 1975.My law practice evolved from a general legal family practice focused primarily on probate and estate planning using individual and joint revocable grantor trusts, probate avoidance, and special needs trusts. I utilized various trust funding methods, and advised clients as to alternative distribution plans to address disabled or spendthrift heirs. When appropriate I used various wealth transfer methods such as irrevocable life insurance trusts. I dealt with a variety of asset issues such as out of state property and family-owned businesses. Part of the practice was as attorney for probated estates from the filing of probate, counseling personal representatives and heirs, and addressing tax issues, through the ultimate distribution of the estate. I also worked with and received referrals from financial and wealth management professionals.In all I have so far handled nearly 3500 trust and probate files since 1975.Formerly the senior partner of Sharp & Drukis in Ypsilanti, Michigan, founder and owner of the Great Lakes Legal Clinic in Flint Michigan and the Michigan Law Clinic in Wayne, Michigan.Prior to law school I worked as a regional office manager at Manulife Insurance in Comstock, Michigan, dealing in pension plan administration.Writing History: Author of legal self-help texts on trusts, probate, family law and estate planning.Living Trusts for Everyone:Why a will is not the way to avoid probate, protect heirs, and settle estates (Second edition) 2017. Allworth Press. (First Edition 2010.)How to Avoid Probate for Everyone:Protecting Your Estate for Your Loved Ones. Allworth Press 2020.Settling Estates for Everyone:A Practical Guide and Action Plan to Handle Assets, Benefits, Taxes, Debts, Minors and Much More. (Completed, to be published February 1, 2022.)Estate Planning from the Heart for Everyone: How to benefit your loved ones, understand wills and trusts, avoid family conflicts, let go of what’s not needed, and more. (Working title, to be released February 1st 2023.)Also the author of Winning the Divorce War and the Award winning mystery No Regrets, No RemorseEducation:Wayne State University School of Law Juris DoctorUniversity of Michigan Law School transfer credits(I attended these law schools simultaneously)Western Michigan University Bachelor of Business AdministrationFlint Northwestern High School

Practices Areas

Estate Planning

Probate

Language

English

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